

J 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



Chap. Copyright No. 

Shelf _13_F_] * 01 
^x%\ 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



THE UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 




A TEACHER OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE. 



THE UNIVERSAL 

Treasure Casket 



OR 



Boofc of UCfobom attb 1Rnoi»feb$e 

CONTAINING 

HOW SHE BECAME A MEDIUM 

Or Experience in the Study of Occult Science 

and Many Formulas from Which to 

Choose a Profession 

WITH POEMS 



BY BERTHA A. GREYER 

h 



fy 



BOSTON : 

PRESS OF S. J. PARKHILL & CO. 

226 Franklin Street 



i 



45895 



Ubrar y of Conor ««• 






1*1) Copils KcCfc»*£D 






SEP 11 1900 

CopyrigM twtry 


V 


^S 


SECOND COPY. 




D*tiver«tt to 






OK0EH DIVISION, 

SEP 19 190u 






80073 

Copyright, 1900 






By Bertha A. Grei 


fER 





INTRODUCTION 



HEALTH, WEALTH, HAPPINESS AND SUC- 
CESS WITHIN THE REACH OF ALL 

In giving out these thoughts and instruc- 
tions I do not desire to call any special atten- 
tion to myself, but simply to prove that these 
instructions are all practical and not only 
theories. I have paid large sums of money 
for some, others I have gained by practice and 
experience, therefore I do not see any reason 
why I should not give forth my knowledge to 
be made use of by my fellow men, and I hope 
that every one of the purchasers of this little 
book will derive some benefit therefrom. The 
price is reasonable and within the reach of all. 
May it guide others onward to the path of 
light, truth and happiness, for in it is found a 
world of consolation. It is also my earnest 
desire that some of the thoughts expressed 



VI INTRODUCTION 

herein will bring hope and peace to those who 
read uriderstandingly. I do not ask any one 
to believe as true anything that I have written 
down, but what I do wish, however, is this: 
That you assume to believe it long enough to 
put it to the test and let the test be fair and 
honest; I will then abide the result. I myself 
claim no power, I only make use of the forces 
within, and I wish to say they are not unfolded 
at a bound, but only by persistent persever- 
ance. 

I will give personal instructions in those 
branches indicated by a star. Letters of en- 
quiry must have return postage enclosed, other- 
wise no notice will be taken of them. 



CONTENTS 



INTRODUCTION 



PAGE 
V 



part E 



CHAPTER 


HOW SHE BECAME A MEDIUM 






I. 


In the Country 


ii 


II. 


A Strange Appearance 








15 


III. 


Gossip and a New Guest 


- 






20 


IV. 


Strange Wanderings 








. 24 


V. 


Wanderings continued . 








28 


VI. 


Wanderings concluded . 








31 


VII. 


A Test .... 








33 


VIII. 


Another Soul Awakened 








38 


IX. 


A Chapter on Materialization 






4i 


X. 


What Came under My Own Observation 


45 


XI. 


A Chapter on the Bible 








48 



DDart II 



WORDS OF WISDOM AND ADVICE 

Love and Marriage 51 

The Occult or Mystic Way of Success in Business . 54 

Faith 57 

God's Chosen 57 



Vlll CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Take Courage, Brother ! 58 

The Hidden Threshold 60 

Saved by a Little Child's Face 61 

The Sex Question 63 

Advice 65 

Admiration 66 

Witchcraft 67 

*The Art of Magnetic and Divine Healing . . . 68 

*How to Become a Psychometrist . . . . • 71 

*The New Method of French Drawing and Painting . 72 

*The Art of Making Crayon Portraits .... 73 
*How to Transfer on Glass, Photographs, Engravings, 

Lithographs ; any Picture, in fact .... 74 

*Bust Developer 75 



part ffl 



A CHAPTER OF RECIPES 



How to Make Wax Flowers, 76. 
How to Make Wax Fruit, 77. 
To Make Leather Waterproof, 

79- 

Fine Perfume for Handker- 
chiefs, 79. 

Eversticking Cement, 79. 

Liquid Glue, 79. 

Green Ink, 80. 

Indelible Ink, 80. 

How to Remove Ink Spots 
from White Shirts, etc., 80. 

How to Remove Stains from 
Silk, Linen, etc., 80. 



A Cure for Hoarseness, 80. 

Natural Bloom of Youth, 81. 

How to Give a Healthy Look 
to a Pale and Sallow Coun- 
tenance, 81. 

A Solution that Will Remove 
Tan, Sunburn, and Cure 
Chapped Hands, 81. 

Cure for Inflammatory Rheu- 
matism, 81. 

A Formula for Freckles, 82. 

Another One, 82. 

A Remedy for Muscular Rheu- 
matism, 82. 



CONTENTS 



IX 



How to Remove Warts, 82. 

Another Remedy, 82. 

How to Promote the Growth 
of the Hair, 82. 

For Singers to Make the Voice 
Clear and Strong, 83. 

Cough Drops, 83. 

Cordial for Men and Women 
for Nervous Debility, for 
Exhaustion from Care and 
Overwork. \Y T orth many 
Dollars, 83. 

Nerve Tonic, 84. 

How to Make Blackberry 
Brandy, 84. 

Oatmeal Drink; a Cool and 
Good Drink for the Sum- 
mer, 85. 

Onions as a Medicine, 85. 

How to Get Rid of Black or 
Red Ants, 86. 

How to Get Rid of Bedbugs,86. 

The Greatest Moth Preventive 
Ever Known, 86. 

How to Cure Perspiring Feet, 
Hands, etc., 87. 

For the Cure of Drunkenness, 

87. 

For Lean People, 87. 



For Stout People, 88. 

To Make Tomato Catchup 

after One of the Very Best 

Recipes, 88. 
How to Make Waffles for 

Home Use or Sale, 88. 
Ye Old-Fashioned Crullers, 89. 
Crumpets, 89. 
Suet Pudding 89. 
Potato Pudding, 89. 
String Bean Salad, 89. 
Potato Salad, 90. 
Fruit Salad, 90. 
French Gingerbread, 90. 
Fruit Tapioca, 91. 
Fish Cutlets, 91. 
Bavarian Cabbage, 91. 
Elderberry Wine, 92. 
Grape Wine, 92. 
Home Made Preserves, 93. 
Headache, 93. 

A Remedy for Indigestion, 93. 
A Pretty Sofa Cushion, 93. 
Frozen Pudding, 94. 
Banana Sherbet, 94. 
Peach Cobbler, 94. 
Pineapple Ice Cream, 95. 
A Summer Drink, 95. 
Circle of Progression, 96. 



HOW SHE BECAME A MEDIUM 



CHAPTER I 

IN THE COUNTRY 

"TK ^^ so ' ^ rs * Gray, y° u belong to that 
-^ *- cult commonly called Spiritualists ? " 
" Well, Mrs. Merrit, I will neither admit nor 
deny the fact. If you mean that a Spiritualist 
is a person that does not believe in a God or a 
Christ or anything but running after mediums, 
who claim to foretell all that is going to 
happen at a dollar a sitting, I am not one ; 
then, on the other hand, if you imply that to 
look into the spiritual philosophy of religions, 
to establish the fact that we continue to live 
after throwing off this body like an old gar- 
ment, to foster and unfold the best part hidden 
within us ; in fact, to spiritualize the material, 
then I must plead guilty of belonging to that 



12 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

sect, although I simply try to be a true Chris- 
tian." 

" And, pray, did you ever get any reasonable 
proof that there is any truth in such cant ? ,: 

" In my investigation I have met with many 
beautiful experiences. I do not mean proof 
given to me by others, but I have gained posi- 
tive self-knowledge which it would take me too 
long to relate/' 

" But, please, Mrs. Gray, do tell us. You 
have aroused our curiosity; besides, we are 
highly interested, " came from a chorus of 
voices. 

The place where this conversation took place 
was the veranda of a charming summer place, 
situated at Lake Pushaw, Maine. It is beyond 
a doubt one of the sightliest and most charming 
spots where Nature has lavished her beauty 
and surrounded it with a varietv such as is sel- 
dom seen. One of the grandest sights can be 
met here, when the beautiful moon stands 
forth in all its glory and sends its brilliant 
rays across the lake. The setting sun, which 
sends a last parting look to Mother Earth 
before disappearing among the mountain tops, 
the atmosphere fanned by the gentle breezes, 
permeated with the healthful odors of the 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 1 3 

pines, and above the glittering stars that illu- 
minate the sky, invite one to sweet repose, and 
a happy and joyful awakening in the morning. 

That part of Maine is, however, compara- 
tively unknown to tourists, and many an artist 
misses some very fine sketching with which, 
the surrounding landscape abounds. It is alto- 
gether an ideal spot to while away a summer 
— a cool and pleasant retreat, away from the 
dust and noise of the city ; just the place for 
rest and thought. However, it is not my in- 
tention to extol the beauty of the place, but to 
relate the experience as told by Madame. I 
had been an unperceived listener, although 
highly interested, and set it down as related. 

11 Nowadays every one is more or less inter- 
ested in occult science, Theosophy, Spiritual- 
ism or anything which borders on the myster- 
ious. I am not an exception to this rule, with 
this difference that where others take it up as 
a fad, I became deeply interested in the study. 
The more obstacles I encountered the firmer I 
became to solve the problem, to penetrate be- 
yond the wall which veils the borderland of 
another world — and right here let me say 
that it is no easy matter, especially for one 
who takes a materialistic view of everything 



14 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

and is inclined to scepticism ; but being a seeker 
after truth, I wished to investigate all things 
fairly ; then if they appealed to my reason, ac- 
cept them. Would it not be good if humanity 
in general would be convinced that we live on 
and exist in a different form after this life is 
extinct ? Such was the state of my mind 
when I came here. 

" Do you see that island across the lake ? It 
is a beautiful strip of woodland, and from the 
first time my eyes rested upon it I longed to 
explore it. It is not quite an island, as it is 
connected with this landing by that narrow 
strip of land down by that extreme point 
Many a time as I gazed upon that green foli- 
age, my heart went out toward it ; no matter 
how I would analyze my feelings, chiding 
myself for my foolishness, I could not account 
for or get rid of the feeling. What attraction 
did it hold for me ? 






CHAPTER II 

A STRANGE APPEARANCE 

44 ^""^HE eastern sky was aglow with the 
-*■ bright tints of the coming day, the 
dewy air fragrant with the breath of buds and 
blossoms of the water lilies. Brighter grew 
the sky, casting a flood of golden glory 
across the broad lake. I had arisen early to 
enjoy the glorious sunrise and so absorbed was 
I in the beauties of Nature that I was utterly 
oblivious of where I went, simply wandering 
on and on until I heard myself addressed. 
I turned with a start, to see standing before 
me the dignified form of a man, with a flowing 
white beard, enveloped in a white mantle. His 
dark eyes were fixed in a calm, steady look 
upon mine as though they would read my 
innermost thoughts. I was too much sur- 
prised and awed by his sudden appearance 
to utter a sound, although experiencing no 
fear. 

" ' I came in answer to your silent cry for help, 



1 6 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

for whenever a child of earth sends a longing 
thought for wisdom, knowledge and light up- 
wards, he opens up an avenue for our approach. 
Long and patiently have we labored, and now 
we can at last fulfil part of our mission. Here 
and there the seeds sown have found good 
and pure soil and sprouted into blossoms. 
Your great desire will be fulfilled, but not yet ; 
you are not quite prepared to receive such 
knowledge. You have made a good begin- 
ning, considering that your efforts were a mere 
groping in the dark; but your sincere desire 
made you grow day by day, for unseen hands 
have guided and aided you. Do not be rash ; 
the time has not yet arrived to send your 
spirit out of the body on an ethereal journey 
to that land of the unknown, for it is not 
strong enough to encounter the dangers from 
which the stoutest heart would shrink. Have 
patience, for all good things will come to him 
who knows how to wait. I will guide and help 
you. We shall meet again.' 

" The man had vanished. I rubbed my eyes 
to convince myself that I was really awake, 
and I admit, although I possess plenty of 
courage, my blood ran a trifle more slowly as 
an icy chilliness crept down my back. 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 1 7 

" What was it that I saw ? A reality or only 
an optical illusion? Still the fact remained 
— the mysterious visitor had not only 
talked to me, but had revealed my innermost 
thoughts. 

" On surveying my surroundings I found 
myself on the little island which I mentioned 
before, in a romantic spot, but look where I 
would I could see no habitation. ' Seek not 
what you cannot find, but go in peace/ The 
words were spoken close to me, but no one 
could I see. All that was left for me to do 
was to wonder and start for home. My steps 
seemed lighter, my heart was filled with a new 
joy, and Nature itself seemed more sublime. 
The birds were offering up their morning 
prayer, each trying to outdo the others in 
praise to the Creator, gushing forth in one 
tumultuous tide a hallelujah for all the glory of 
the morning. If I could only emulate their 
wild emotion and give thanksgiving with such 
a tuneful tongue and song, but human heart 
cannot utter such devotion, for when deepest 
feeling swells the innermost soul the lips are 
silent." 

Mrs. Gray had lapsed into silence, a slight 
shudder passed over her body, and her eyes 



1 8 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

closed. I thought she had fainted, but no, her 
lips parted and she began to speak : 

" Mamma, do not weep for me, 
Nor think of me as dead, 
For ever near you I shall be 
Though dwelling overhead. 

" I heard the angels' voices call, 
Voices sweet and low ; 
I went to meet them at the dawn, 
And you wept here below. 

"The land I'm in is fair and bright, 
And everything aglow, 
Where God himself reflects the light 
Of love on all below. 

" God's will be done ; it's for the best ; 
You may not think it right. 
The sorrow-stricken are most blest 
When lifts the veil of night. 

" This is from Flora H." 

I could not restrain my tears. Only too 
well did I remember my little Flora, the sun- 
shine of our home, over whose loss I almost 
broke my heart; but how did she know? I 
was a stranger here, and never talked about 
my affairs. It was passing strange, albeit I 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 1 9 

would not admit it and kept silent. In a 
short time Mrs. Gray opened her eyes and 
went on talking as though nothing had hap- 
pened, while I could only ponder over what I 
had heard, until she went indoors. 



CHAPTER III 

GOSSIP AND A NEW GUEST 

" T WONDER what ailed Madame? Did 

•*- she not act strange ? I don't understand 
her talk," came from Mrs. Merrit. " Do you 
comprehend her meaning ? " Then turning 
towards me, " Why, Mrs. Herbert, what is the 
trouble ? Surely you are not crying ? " 

" I know it is foolish, but I cannot help it. 
Yes, I do understand. She had reference to 
my little darling whom I lost a few months 
ago. That is why I came here, thinking a 
change of air would benefit me." 

" You don't mean to imply that you believe 
or take any stock in what Madame has just 
said ? " 

" Whether I believe or not does not matter ; 
my own heart tells me that it came from my 
Flora, and every line confirms what actually 
took place ; besides how could Madame know 
anything about it ? Did it not all occur many 
miles from here ? " 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 2 1 

" Oh, your nerves are a little unstrung ; be- 
sides, brooding over your loss so much might 
have conveyed it to Madame's mind unknown 
to you. For myself I need stronger proof than 
that to believe in such humbug." 

" That may be ; nevertheless I will cherish 
those words, and I hope that I may under- 
stand their meaning more fully after awhile. 
Your theory would suggest mind reading." 

" You are a little fool," muttered Mrs. Mer- 
rit to herself; aloud she only said, "Certainly, 
do so by all means, if you derive any comfort 
from her words, I think I shall take a walk." 

A young man, a new arrival, had been an 
unnoticed but attentive listener to the fore- 
going conversation. He now approached us 
with hand extended towards me, saying, 
" Allow me to sympathize with you, for I 
myself mourn a lost one. I should derive 
great consolation could I be assured that 
we continue our existence on the other side 
and perhaps shall meet again. Who and what 
is Madame ? " 

11 Oh, she is our hostess, and as you saw her 
now so she is always, calm and serene ; nothing 
seems to upset her. By some chance remark 
we found out that she is an occultist, or Spirit- 



2 2 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

ualist, although she seems so much different 
from that class ; her heart so big, her mind so 
broad. Some of us induced her to tell us her 
experience and she has consented, so you will 
have an opportunity to judge for yourself. She 
must be pretty well advanced in her study ; in 
fact, what some call a medium, judging from 
what transpired this morning." 

" Oh," exclaimed Roland Gifford, " if she 

could tell me something of , well, then, I 

might believe. So far I have never thought 
much about it. I went to a meeting once in 
Boston, but I left disgusted ; it seemed to me 
much like a show at ten cents a head." 

" I dare say ! However, I have never been. 
Madame comes from Boston; perhaps she 
can explain what we don't understand. I as- 
sure you she is very obliging." 

" Does Madame know she possesses such a 
staunch champion in you ? " 

" I was hardly aware, Mr. Gifford, that 
I advocated her cause ; however, I speak as I 
feel; besides you will soon see for yourself 
that hers is not a bed of roses. If you will 
be here this afternoon at four, you can listen 
to the continuation of her story. Some of us 
are really interested, some are curious, while 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 23 

the others listen to while away the time. I 
hope you will like this place. Don't you 
think the scenery pretty ? " 

Roland was ashamed to admit that he had 
been so engrossed with his own thoughts 
that he had taken no heed of his surround- 
ings. He cast a hasty glance around, saying, 
" No doubt I shall like it. All I care about at 
present is to rest." 

11 Then, this is just the place," I replied. 
" I felt the same way on coming ; already I 
feel benefited, and hope it will be the same 
with you. The people here are real nice, and 
our host does his best to make it homelike." 



CHAPTER IV 



STRANGE WANDERINGS 



/^\UITE an audience had gathered on the 
Tb^ veranda that afternoon. Madame was 
seated in their midst. The babbling of so 
many voices sounded like a swarm of bees 
humming; however, all was hushed as soon 
as Madame began to speak. 

" One day, being tired and weary, I fell 
into a deep slumber, from which I awoke 
with a start. On opening my eyes I found 
the room flooded with a soft, golden light, the 
air filled with sweetest music, while the same 
mystic form whom I had encountered before 
stood beside me. 

" ' Once more do we meet ; this time to guide 
thee on thy journey, for thy great desire to 
have a glimpse of another world shall be ful- 
filled. But I warn thee that thou wilt en- 
counter dangers. I will aid thee all I can.' 
So saying he took hold of my hand. As his 
glance met mine I felt as though a lightning 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 25 

bolt had struck me ; my nerves began to tin- 
gle, my blood stood still, I could not breathe, 
all grew dark. 

" Darkness, nothing but darkness do I en- 
counter. Whither am I going? Will this 
intense gloom last forever? Shall I indeed 
go to destruction? What horrible phantoms 
assail me? Is this place peopled with noth- 
ing but devils and snakes? They leer and 
hiss at me from every side, right and left, in 
front and behind, under my very feet. I see 
nothing but darkest dangers threatening me. 
In my utter despair I think of Him, our Re- 
deemer, and cry aloud : 

" 4 Oh, God ! In this hour of need I call 
upon Thee. Let not my despairing soul call 
to Thee in vain. Send me aid to guide me 
through this realm of darkness and terror to 
the light, away from this horrible place.' 

" No sooner had I uttered these words than 
I felt myself lifted out of reach of my assail- 
ants, and led onward, as if by invisible hands, 
while I heard a sweet voice whisper: 

" * Have faith, thou venturesome mortal, and 
all will be well. The one thou doubtest has 
in His infinite mercy for one atom of true 
worth desired that thou shouldst be saved, 



26 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

and behold some of the sorrows as well as 
joys of this our world, which you call the 
hereafter. The path through which you have 
passed, all mortals must travel, and woe to him 
who hesitates, for he will lose himself forever. 
As thy liberty is but short, we must hasten on. 
First I am commanded that thou shalt see the 
place of everlasting punishment which you on 
earth call hell. Behold ! ' 

" I obeyed reluctantly, and saw in the dis- 
tance a dark, dismal place, filled with stifling, 
sulphurous air, in which many souls were im- 
prisoned, while they were tormented by some 
who seemed filled with the greatest hilarity. 
Cries for help were greeted with shouts of 
derisive laughter. The clamors, lamentations 
and moanings of those lost souls were awful to 
hear, and still those dark phantoms, grim and 
tall, kept on dancing and shouting with mali- 
cious glee as still another soul was added to 
the already uncountable number. 

" The victim, with pale face, with shaking 
limbs, bleared eyes and despairing air, pro- 
claimed his guilt and crimes. His name he 
had trampled in the dust with degrading and 
unearthly desires, a slave to sensual lust and at 
last murder, which sealed his doom eternally. 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 27 

11 Next a woman, who with a fickle heart and 
cunning ways led youth astray, exerting all her 
arts to ensnare all those who would cater to 
her vanity, and at last made a slave to sin of 
her body, thus condemning herself to ever- 
lasting woe. 

11 Another one, a man of pleasure, who had 
betrayed a young and innocent, trusting girl 
by promises of love, then cast her aside, leav- 
ing her to sink lower and lower through every 
degree of misery and shame, until she was 
lost, too, in the depths of her ruin. Here, 
then, in this gulf of annihilation, he received 
retribution. 

" On, still they came ; but I had seen enough. 
This scene will forever haunt my brain. I shall 
never forget this withering of souls, nor the 
sighing and bewailing of those exiled spirits. 
With pitying heart and depressed feelings I 
turned to my guide, entreating him to take 
me away, and imploring him not to leave me, 
for I knew not where* to turn. 



CHAPTER V 



WANDERINGS CONTINUED 



44 4 ^P^ leave thee I cannot, even if I would, 
■*■ for thou wert given into my care. I 
shall be with thee, here and always, until thy 
time on earth has run out. I take thee now 
to a place called Limbo, or Retention. The 
beings thou wilt behold are souls who love 
and long for God, but are not yet pure enough 
to enter a higher state.' 

" I expressed surprise at this, saying that a 
number of people on earth did not believe in 
a so-called Purgatory. The answer was, ' We 
know and are sorry for their erroneous belief, 
but misdeeds must be atoned for. These 
spirits have a mission to fulfil. They are 
often near earth, to watch and warn their 
loved ones against evil. Have you not often 
experienced a feeling to refrain from doing 
this or that? It was their promptings, and 
to some they can make themselves felt and 
even seen.' 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 29 

" My guide said all this while we were float- 
ing through a light mist and space until we 
arrived at a beautiful valley surrounded by a 
forest of vivid green, lakes and mountains, and 
such a profusion of flowers that it seemed to 
me as though all the bloom of the world was 
gathered here. The beings that floated hither 
and thither had human forms, but so refined, 
although sorrowful, for they longed to be with 
others in a higher realm. 

" ' Art thou happy to know that such a place 
exists ? ' was the question asked by my kind 
guide. 

" ' Oh, yes,' I exclaimed ; ' more than happy 
to know that those erring children of God will 
return to Him in time. If only the living ones 
would know and believe it, what consolation 
they would have.' 

" ' There are enough on earth who know, 
and others will find out through them ; besides, 
do not good Christians read the Bible, and 
does the Good Book not tell them that Christ 
himself came here ? Still some do not believe, 
because they have become so cynical; they 
scoff and sneer at everything, and try to be 
wiser than their Creator. That is why so 
many are restless, dissatisfied and perplexed, 



30 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

while a few even curse God for their very exist- 
ence, forgetting that they themselves crushed 
out every spark of light and hope. And now 
for the last vision of which a glimpse is 
granted thee.' 



CHAPTER VI 

WANDERINGS CONCLUDED 

44 ^ir^HE radiant angel guide took hold of 
-■- my hand and we soared higher, ever 
higher, through dazzling light and splendor, 
until I could hardly endure the brilliant and 
overpowering rays. 

" ' This ends our journey. Behold some of 
the splendor of God's world ! ' 

" If this was a glimpse of heaven, oh how 
glorious and magnificent ! In my wildest 
dreams I had not imagined anything so grand. 
All around me I heard soft strains of music; 
beautiful forms roamed through space, weaving 
slender garlands of flowers ; the light in the 
distance grew brighter and brighter; all around 
me began to sing ' Glory be to Him on high ! ' 
A majestic figure loomed up in the distance, 
and as I looked I saw the form of Him of 
Nazareth with hand extended and beckoning 
to me ; yes, even me ! 

" My soul awoke to a calm and tranquil 



32 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

delight as I saw that glorious figure, which no 
fancy could dispel. This eternal life, which 
no wealth can purchase nor spirit corrupt 
with sin can inherit, is sublime. It is bright 
and effulgent with a glory which can never 
fade. In it dwells the soul in an ethereal 
essence. 

" How did I deserve such a sight of heavenly 
glory ? Would that I could stay ! Why should 
I return to the cold, chilling atmosphere of 
earth ? Why not snap the thread that binds 
me to life ? But no. I must go back to earth 
and earn a right to a home in this place. My 
time of liberty is at end and I must return to 
my shell of clay. Slowly I felt myself sinking; 
an oppressive sensation stole over me. I 
knew no more until I opened my eyes to find 
myself in my room." 



CHAPTER VII 

A TEST 

O OLAND GIFFORD had listened to 
-"-\ Madame's recital with deep interest. A 
sudden unrest had taken hold of him and he 
asked himself if such things were really possi- 
ble. If he could only establish soul com- 
munion with his lost one, he could more easily 
bear to walk alone through life without 
hungering for that love which seemed lost to 
him forever. Here was something entirely 
different from what he had been taught, and 
to his mind it opened up a new field for inves- 
tigation. Perhaps his life need not be wasted 
in one vain regret. Would there be any hope 
of receiving anything definite regarding his 
lost one, and could not Madame aid him? 
At all events he can but try. He must have a 
talk with her this very day. Would she see 
him ? He would consult Mrs. Herbert. 

He expressed great pleasure on meeting me, 
and immediately made his desires known. 



34 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

" You see, I am very anxious ; my mind is in 
such a state of unrest that I would get very 
little rest unless I made the attempt. Will 
you arrange it for me ? " 

" Most certainly, I will ; " and went in search 
of Madame then and there. 

Roland had not long to wait before my 
errand was accomplished. 

14 Madame will see you on one condition, 
which is that I am to be present as well." 

" Oh, I am so thankful for the privilege, and 
I was going to ask you as a special favor to be 
present." 

" Then, it is all settled. Madame will see 
us at eight this evening." 

At eight precisely Madame conducted us to 
her room. Turning to Mr. Gifford, she said, 
" I understand that you are very anxious to 
hear from a departed friend. I must, however, 
inform you that I do not always succeed ; as 
my power is but limited I cannot call the spirits 
at will ; I can only try, and you may rest as- 
sured that I will, as far as I myself am con- 
cerned, do the best in your behalf, seeing that 
you are sincere and so distressed. You can 
ask questions later on ; first we will see what 
communication we can get." Then sitting 







#^ "WW* 




"THAT YOUNG MAN WAS YOURSELF. 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 35 

down, she folded her hands, closed her eyes 
and fell apparently asleep. In a short time I 
saw the same shudder pass over her that I had 
noticed before. Just as the silence became 
oppressive she began to speak : 

11 I am carried away a long distance, to quite 
a large town somewhere in the country. I 
find myself in a cemetery, by the side of a 
newly made grave. Heaps of flowers are 
scattered in wild confusion all over it, in the 
midst of which I see a young man lying flat on 
his face, bewailing a lost loved one. I can 
hear some of his wild ravings, which rend his 
soul : 

" ' Hope's gates are closed to me forever, my 
life nothing but a cheerless blank, a vast 
despair. Oh, why was it ordained that you 
should leave me ? You are laid away with the 
dead, while I must live on. Never more can 
I behold thy fair face. If I could only die and 
be with thee ! ' 

" That young man was yourself. I see you 
afterwards wandering aimless, always regret- 
ting. You are not alone. Isabelle is with 
you. Often has she tried to make herself 
felt, but you are wrapped in a cloak of selfish 
grief. To prove that she is Isabelle she will 



36 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

give you a few lines which you will recognize 
and which will be convincing as well: 

" < As you wander in the twilight 

Amongst woodland's shady dell, 
Your thoughts stray back to scenes once bright, 
Which your heart remembers well. 

1 To a brown-eyed little maiden, 

And a cottage by the hill, 
Whose songs your fond heart did gladden, 
But are now forever still. 

1 Many a happy hour we spent 

Down by the little brook, 
Whose ripples a soft music lent 
To my voice and every look. 

i But you think I'm gone forever, 
My slumber is deep and long ; 
And all you've left of me, the giver, 
Is the memory of the song. 

< We shall meet and never more part 

In this heavenly home above, 
With harmony in every heart 
And naught but joy and love/ 

" ' The world I live in is beautiful, and I 
would be happy were it not for your grief. 
Death is only a short separation ; my spirit 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 37 

still lives on, only the material part left behind 
is doomed to perish. Throw aside your grief ; 
help and love your fellow men; live in har- 
mony and unity; be just in all things; thus 
will you prepare the way. I cannot say more 
now. Let your turbulent mind rest in peace. 
Think of me only as living and waiting for 
you.' " 

Madame lapsed into silence. I looked at 
Roland. His whole form shook with sobs 
he could not repress, and as Madame had 
awakened, we left him, knowing that would 
be best. 



CHAPTER VIII 

ANOTHER SOUL AWAKENED 

aINCE the time of Eve, women have been 
credited with being curious. On general 
principles I am not of that class ; however, in 
this instance I must plead guilty. I could 
hardly await the appearance of Mr. Gifford 
next morning, to find out his sentiments re- 
garding last evening's experiences. What mys- 
terious power does Madame possess to reveal 
all that we consider hidden ? Is it spirit do- 
ings ? Like a flash of sunlight the truth is re- 
vealed, light seems to dawn upon our darkened 
minds, and yet there are those who criticise 
Madame, find fault, call her eccentric and imag- 
inary ; but peerless-souled women are ever thus 
treated, and how seldom are such high and 
noble natures understood! I myself do not 
doubt spirit communion any more, and — but 
here comes Mr. Gifford, and how bright and 
'cheerful he looks ! 

" Dear Mrs. Herbert, I am so gratified to 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 39 

know that in you I find a kindred soul, one to 
whom I can express my feelings without fear 
of ridicule. Madame has indeed demonstrated 
to my entire satisfaction that we do exist after 
so-called death ; that spirits do and can com- 
municate with us. My doubts are dispelled 
and over my troubled mind steals a soothing 
calm and peace. The joy and experience of 
believing thrills my entire being. I am no 
longer weary of life ; I only hope that I will 
obtain more knowledge of that beauteous land 
and its inhabitants. How consoling it is to 
know that we shall be reunited with our de- 
parted, and so comforting to believe that loving 
hearts will not always be parted. 

" I wept for very joy last evening at feeling 
my soul was released from the thraldom of 
darkness, that my aching heart awoke and in- 
spired me to a loftier purpose in life, for I shall 
live and work for humanity. I can never ex- 
press my gratitude to Madame for opening to 
me the golden casket which contains so many 
priceless treasures. Yes, Mrs. Herbert, we 
that have shared a mutual sorrow have also en- 
joyed a mutual blessing, for through Madame 
our darkened minds have received light and 
truth, and she says it all depends on ourselves 



40 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

now — our future progression, I mean. Fraud- 
ulent mediums might deceive us, but we can- 
not fool ourselves." 

I had listened with awe and wonder to Mr. 
Gifford. What a transformation wrought in 
him ! Could this indeed be the man of a few 
days ago ? It made a deep and lasting impres- 
sion upon my memory. I could only hope 
that we might receive and understand more 
about this, to us, new religion, this afternoon 
when Madame would continue her narrative. 



CHAPTER IX 

A CHAPTER ON MATERIALIZATION 

^X S usual, every one assembled to hear Ma- 
-^ *- dame. Without any preliminary remarks 
she began : 

" One evening as I was sitting deep in medi- 
tation, I saw something moving not very far 
from where I sat. At first it seemed but a lit- 
tle white cloud, wavering to and fro. It grew 
in dimensions until it assumed the shadowy 
outline of a human form. I watched it grow- 
ing with a feeling of passiveness, but great in- 
terest, until it threw 7 aside the folds of white 
and revealed to me the countenance of my 
former guide. 

u ' Peace be thine ! Again have I come ; 
this time to give thee instructions. Thou art 
not satisfied with the progress thou hast made, 
and are searching for a master to get higher 
instructions, but in vain. Knowest thou not 
that he who desires to become master of the 
workings of the soul must become first familiar 



42 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

with the order of all things, from the lowest to 
the highest ? He who desires the influence of 
the divine must not only direct his eyes toward 
it, but he must elevate his soul power to the 
soul power of the divine, which is God himself ; 
he must prepare himself, by purification and 
good work, with fervent love for the Infinite 
and his fellow men, so that he may draw down 
from heaven the divine spirit and be filled with 
its lustre, also that he may become gifted with 
heavenly gifts and obtain the desires of his 
heart. As soon as he grasps the higher light 
and arrives at a state of perfection, he will have 
obtained might and power, wisdom and knowl- 
edge. He also will perceive the truth, for it 
is obtainable by all who seek for it. So keep 
on, and when thou dost find the path to yon 
sun-topped mountain hard to travel, be not dis- 
couraged, for thou wilt arrive at its summit, 
where the light from high heaven will descend 
and abide with thee. The spirits will lead 
thee into pleasant paths after the cup of sor- 
row is drained ; they will guide thee, and I will 
direct thee onward. Farewell for the present.' 

" This was his third visit and a splendid ma- 
terialization." 

Here a chorus of voices broke in with, 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 43 

11 What is materialization ? Do you believe in 
it ? How is it accomplished ? Oh, it was only 
imagination." And from Mrs. Merrit, " I don't 
believe in it. I saw a spook show at the Tem- 
ple and what I saw there convinces or converts 
no one. It is ridiculous." 

I watched Madame's face, but she looked as 
calm as ever, only a slight smile curved the 
corners of her n^outh. 

" Surely you do not expect me to answer all 
those questions at once," she replied, ignoring 
Mrs. Merrit's remarks altogether. " Do I be- 
lieve in it ? Most assuredly I do. I have wit- 
nessed hundreds of seances, private and public 
ones, and have obtained proof positive at home. 
I also admit that there is a deal of fraud prac- 
tised in most places where they hold seances. 
In one place where they claim superior intelli- 
gence for their spirit, said intelligence is fur- 
nished by the manager. An Indian came to 
me at this place ; by placing my hand upon his 
head, I discovered that he wore a wig. Another 
form appeared as a male spirit ; I let my hand 
glide down the chest, and lo, it was a woman ! 
In another place a form came out making lace, 
said lace being pulled out of the lining of her 
skirt ; in dematerializing, it was shoved up her 



44 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

sleeve, and so cleverly was this done that it 
nearly deceived me, but in passing my hand 
down the arm I felt the lump, and still I say 
materialization is a fact. For fraudulent mani- 
festations, the frequenters of such places are 
more to blame than the mediums, for none are 
more blind than those wilfully so. Each and 
every one expects half a dozen of his friends 
to come. Such mediums I do not call Spiritu- 
alists, only schemers. Their own consciences 
trouble them, and so much afraid are they of 
the evil they have created that they dare not 
sleep in the dark. When you find a medium 
wearing wigs, robes, masks, lace or other ma- 
terial, you may take it for granted that you are 
being imposed upon. Materialization consists 
of four different manifestations: Personation, 
transfiguration, etherealization and independent. 
The two last named are the most satisfactory. 
I will only add these few words before I close: 
Every success breeds imitators and counter- 
feiters. Were there none genuine, there would 
be none fraudulent." 

This closed Madame's series of talks. 



CHAPTER X 

WHAT CAME UNDER MY OWN OBSERVATION 

j WILL now relate one instance of Madame's 
-*■ power that I witnessed personally. One 
day word came to the hotel from one of the cot- 
tagers that their baby was sick and a doctor must 
be sent for at once, although they feared the child 
would be dead before he arrived. As soon as 
Madame heard the news, she instantly made her 
way to the cottage, I following closely. She 
never uttered a word, but took the baby on her 
lap, placed one hand upon the little forehead, 
while the other gently glided down the face 
and over the body, keeping up a crooning 
chant all the time which I could not under- 
stand; she seemed utterly oblivious of the 
onlookers, continuing the same sing-song air. 
Gradually I saw the hectic flush die out of 
the baby's face, while the eyes assumed a more 
natural look, and finally I saw them close, and 
by the gentle breathing I knew the little one 
was asleep. Still Madame kept on. At last 



46 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

she laid the baby on the bed, telling the 
mother it would wake in three hours all right, 
and passed out, while the mother told the 
neighbors that she had not expected the baby 
to live through the night. No one passed any 
remarks about Madame. I was bound though 
to see how this would end, so I offered my ser- 
vices, telling the mother to take a rest while I 
would watch over the baby. 

My task was an easy one, as it slumbered 
peacefully. The clattering of hoofs roused 
me from the reverie I had fallen into ; I also 
noticed that the clock had made its hourly 
revolution three times, and looking on the 
bed, I saw the baby cooing and smiling, with 
its little hands outstretched as if pleading to 
be taken up. 

At the same instant the doctor bustled into 
the room while I stood in expectation of what 
was coming next. He wanted to know if that 
was the sick child and I answered, " Yes." 

At this he got on his dignity, saying it was 
a foolish mother's whim, and demanded to 
know by what right he was called on a fool's 
errand, as there was nothing the matter with 
the child. 

I pitied the mother and tried to explain. 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 47 

His only reply was : " Foolish and supersti- 
tious people ! " Nevertheless the fact re- 
mained, the baby was saved. 

I asked Madame how she accomplished it. 
Her reply was that she did not know herself, 
and she murmured something about the love 
of little children and angels guarding them. 



CHAPTER XI 

A CHAPTER ON THE BIBLE 

"VY7HILING away an idle hour, some days 
** after the foregoing, the general con- 
versation drifted to matters regarding the 
Bible, and I asked Madame why so many 
speakers and lecturers on the Spiritualistic 
platform denounced the Bible, remarking that 
it surely did the cause no good. 

She simply replied that she did not know, 
adding, " For myself, I believe in it, although 
it contradicts itself." 

" But why?" I asked. 

" Oh, it is but natural. It was written by 
inspired and prophetic men, and as they 
wrote according to their spiritual enlighten- 
ment, it could not be all alike, no more than 
two persons should think or write alike to-day. 
I do not doubt but that a future generation 
will do the same with the writings of to-day. 
I find the book very rich and instructive in 
Spiritualism. I will cite a few principal 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 49 

points regarding phenomena, healing of the 
sick ; also, accounts of dreams are many. 
The Bible must be read carefully and studied 
in order to interpret it aright. The way in 
which God spoke to his chosen people was 
generally in dreams, for we read in Job xxxiii, 
15 : 'In a dream, in a vision of the night, when 
sleep falleth upon men, ... he openeth the 
ears of men and sealeth their instruction/ 
Genesis xx, 3 : ' But God came to Abimelech in 
a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou 
art but a dead man, for the woman which thou 
hast taken; for she is a man's wife.' 

" The power to interpret dreams was given 
to Joseph, as is shown by the interpretation of 
the dream of Pharaoh of the seven fat and 
lean kine. 

" Of visions and magnetic occurrences we find 
the most striking one in connection with Adam. 
Genesis ii, 21 : 'And the Lord God caused a 
deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept.' 
It says a deep sleep, so it must have been a 
trance; and the Lord created Eve from one 
of his ribs, which was materialization. 

" Abraham had many visions, through which 
he was taught that he would be the father of a 
great nation. Jacob had visions. Genesis 



50 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

xxviii, 10: 'And Jacob went out from Beer- 
sheba, and went toward Haran.' As the sun 
had set, he took for his pillow a stone and 
slept, and he saw a vision of a ladder, the top 
of which reached to Heaven, while angels de- 
scended and ascended it, and behold the Lord 
stood above, etc. Moses had visions ; the 
first important one at Mount Horeb. Exodus 
iii, 2 : ? And the angel of the Lord appeared 
unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of 
a bush . . . and Moses said, I will now turn 
aside and see this great sight, why the bush is 
not burnt.' Then the Spirit called out and 
said, ' Draw not nigh hither,' etc., which proves 
that a pious and spiritual mind is open to di- 
vine influences, and can hear the voice of the 
Spirit. 

" The Bible is full of such quotations, and 
it would be too tedious to give any from 
the New Testament. I need not say anything, 
for any one who can read can convince himself, 
if he so desires. Is not Christ the best ex- 
ample set before us? And if we follow in His 
footsteps we will attain the highest perfection. 
So the good work goes on. Here and there a 
kernel falls by the wayside and brings forth 
good fruit in due season." 



part II 
WORDS OF WISDOM AND ADVICE 



LOVE AND MARRIAGE 

"VYTHERE true love reigns sorrow finds no 
* * abiding place and hatred can never come, 
for love is the fountain of happiness, as it is an 
offspring from God, for God himself is love. 
Love has greater power than is contained in all 
other forces of the universe. By love the whole 
world is stimulated, and it is the prime mover 
for joy and happiness to man and woman if 
care is taken that love finds its true mate and 
the soul its true magnet, for the soul of a 
godly man will search out the soul of another 
like unto itself. But should perchance a union 
take place without this affinity of souls, dis- 
cord, coldness and strife will come, breeding 
unhappiness and longing which should not be 



52 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

gratified. Where true love reigns there is no 
room for jealousy. 

From the earliest ages marriage has been 
cherished as the best of human institutions, 
and it has been wisely said that it doubles the 
joys and divides the grief and sorrows of 
earthly existence. God and nature contem- 
plate men and women together, for each 
alone is only a fragment of God's creation. If 
a man wishes to be successful in life, he should 
marry, for then he will put forth and make use 
of his best efforts to gain the desired end ; 
then he has something and some one to work 
for. 

Persons deprived of the pleasures and re- 
fining influences of the home circle will seek 
pleasure elsewhere, and, oh, how often are the 
instincts of their better natures forgotten and 
the silent monitor hushed in the w T hirl and 
excitement of unholy pleasures of the moment, 
which cast a withering influence on all their 
future life ; so I say, go and marry, as God and 
nature intended you should. Do not let pride 
or wealth stand in the way. Be not over 
fastidious in your requirements of beauty or 
over choice in the gratification of your fancies. 
A true woman admires, loves and even wor- 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 53 

ships the higher attributes of manly character, 
and vice versa. Let all remember that they 
marry for love and happiness, and happiness is 
only found in domestic peace ; so each must 
endeavor to preserve that. Let each be kind 
to the other and be forgiving if they have 
erred. Do not consult your so-called friends, 
for often you get advice which is far from 
suitable to the case, but question your own 
heart ; it will tell you how to act. 

When a man goes courting and the moment 
has arrived when he offers all he can, it is only 
necessary to be natural and true; let him. 
speak the sentiments he feels, and if loved, a 
true heart will respond. When any one meets 
with unrequited love, or is jilted, he sinks 
naturally into a state of feeling which is called 
despair. He must not throw himself into 
the vortex of dissipation, but must call his 
pride to the rescue and shake off the passion 
by seeking a substitute, for he will be happy 
yet, as there are plenty of true women in the 
world. 

The wisest and greatest men of all times 
thought, and think so yet, that the institution 
of matrimony was given to man for his highest 
good, that the sweetest and purest of earthly 



54 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

happiness is to be found in the sacred enjoy- 
ments of home ; even if bitter at times, so much 
the sweeter after, for does not the sweetest rose 
blossom on the thorniest branch ? 



THE OCCULT OR MYSTIC WAY OF 
SUCCESS IN BUSINESS 

The man who succeeds in life is he who re- 
lies on himself and not upon others. If you 
wish to make a success of your life, you must 
first of all make up your mind that you will 
rely upon yourself. After you have done this, 
don't get the idea that you can begin at the 
top of the ladder, for you cannot. A good 
builder does not begin with the roof. So must 
you begin at the bottom rung of the ladder, 
then follow each rung as fast as you can travel. 
There is a tide in the affairs of men which 
taken at the proper time will lead to fortune. 

Time is money. If you can only earn a dol- 
lar a day, do not sit idle at home because you 
think it is not enough, for if you do, you not 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 55 

only waste your time but the dollar besides. 
Rememb.r, also, that a man of his word is 
lord over another one's purse, for he who is 
known to pay punctually at the time he prom- 
ises may raise all the money he needs ; this is 
of great use next to industry and frugality. 
Never keep borrowed money longer than the 
time promised, because the friend who assisted 
you will be disappointed, and not lend you 
anything again. 

Live within your means, and pay as you go 
along, for trifling expenses will mount into 
large sums, and it is easier to pay small 
amounts. Also remember that credit is money. 
If you let your money lie in another man's 
hands after it is due you give him the interest, 
or so much as the money will bring, while it is 
in his possession. Money will produce money, 
interest will produce interest, and so on, until 
one dollar becomes two, two four, etc. 

Cultivate self-reliance by the exercise of 
your will, and will power lies latent within 
every one if only evoked. Evoke it, then, and 
gain a greater degree of confidence in yourself, 
so that you may gain your desired end. You 
will naturally ask, Can I really gain what I 
strive for ? I answer, Yes. 



56 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

Have you ever stopped to consider that all 
men are created in the image and l'keness of 
one great universal Creator, and that all men 
are vested with equal rights ? So I say unto 
you all, you have within yourselves the same 
qualities ; evoke them ; then do what others 
have done, for you can do the same. The will 
is developed through action and strengthened 
by faith. Fear and doubt paralyze it. Hope 
and faith in yourself produce marvellous re- 
sults. Therefore use your will power, and act; 
for each act creates a new impulse, and new im- 
pulses bring forth the result you desire. It is 
sad to hear a man or woman say, " I would give 
most anything if I could accomplish only half 
what they have done." Do not condemn your- 
self, but try and see what you can do. Thus 
only will you be successful. 

The way to attain riches is very plain. Be 
industrious and frugal ; waste neither time nor 
money; take care of the hours and days, the 
weeks and months will take care of themselves. 
Rise early, for the old saying is, " Early to bed 
and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy 
and wise." Remember as well to avoid women, 
wine and gambling. 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 57 

FAITH 

Faith is a necessity of life, for life is impos- 
sible without it. The very first thing we do is 
to believe. We must believe in something, 
otherwise life would not be worth living. 
Therefore believe and follow your highest, 
best and noblest impulses. You will find it a 
hard road to travel and not many will dispute 
your way, for alas, the greater part of human- 
ity live for self, aspiring and striving only for 
mammon. This is what causes so much un- 
happiness. 



GOD'S CHOSEN 

Arrayed in snow-white garments, 
And soaring through the air, 

Are all God's chosen angels 
That dwell in yonder sphere. 

Arrayed in beauteous splendor, 
Bedecked and golden crowned, 

Are all the chosen children 
From the lowly and renowned. 



58 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

Cast off all earthly prejudice 
To gain this golden crown ; 

Be meek and sacrificing ; 
Your spirit must bow down. 

But keep on, faint heart, hoping, 
For morning's sun will shine 

And guide you into Heaven, 
Your dwelling-place and mine. 

L. A. G. 



TAKE COURAGE, BROTHER! 

Push on, thou weary wanderer, 
Take heart and follow me ; 

I'll lead thee out of darkness 
And fill your heart with glee. 

Care not for pains or sorrow ; 

Cheer up and banish all ; 
Adorn yourself with gladness ; 

Let's follow yon trump's call. 

Together we will bear your lot ; 

United we will stand. 
Hypocrisy, it is but naught ; 

We slay it with our hand. 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 59 

Think not that you are lowly ; 

Hold up your head with pride ; 
Push forward even slowly, 

And stem the evil tide. 

Take courage — never falter ! 

For you will sit some day 
Confronted by the Altar 

That is not built of clay. 

This Altar is in Heaven, 

Upheld by God's own hand. 
'Tis thither we will wander ; 

That is the promised land. 

And when our eyes are opened 

This beauty to behold, 
We'll stand erect and praise Him 

And shout like warriors bold. 

Our courage has not failed us ; 

We've striven to obtain 
This everlasting glory ; 

To keep shall be our aipi. 

And when our work is ended 

Let's sing, give honor, praise, 
And say to Him, Thy will be done ! 

We trust in Thee always. 

L. A. G. 



60 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 



THE HIDDEN THRESHOLD 

To cross the hidden threshold 

Is not so easy done, 
For when you think you've crossed it 

You have but just begun. 

So patient you must be, 

Reluctance cast aside ; 
If God's pure light you'd ever see 

Exert your will with might. 

How then shall you begin the task ? 

How shall you seek salvation ? 
Look in your heart and dare to ask : 

Am I of worthy station ? 

The answer then will come to you, 
Will shine in golden letters : 

Go forth, for you have work to do 
To rend all earthly fetters ! 

L. A. 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 6 1 



SAVED BY A LITTLE CHILD'S FACE 

A group of men were drinking together in a 
crowded barroom, in fact were well along in 
the direction of drunkenness pure and simple, 
when their attention was drawn to a little girl 
who had entered to call a drunken father to 
the deathbed of another of his children. 

The incident helped to sober him quite ef- 
fectively, as he had not sunk to that stage 
where all is forgotten. That his favorite, 
bright little boy should thus suddenly be taken 
away was too much for him. Even drink 
could not silence the voice of remorse, and the 
sympathy offered by his former boon compan- 
ions fell on deaf ears. 

No doubt, little children had died before ; one 
death among so many meant nothing. No, 
nothing to them, but to him it meant all. Had 
not the boy often asked him in his childish 
way to stay away from those bad men, and had 
he not broken his promise again and again ? 
Now he thought it a just punishment to have 
the one he held dearest of all taken from him. 
No matter how hard he tried to get the 
thought of him off his mind, still day and night 



62 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

that little face with its pleading eyes was ever 
before him. 

What must he do to redeem his promise, 
was the question he put to himself at all times. 
To stay away from barrooms did not seem 
enough. Finally the question evolved itself 
into shape. He would not only make an effort 
to overcome the habit, but assist all his fellow 
men. Once the resolve taken, none worked 
harder than he. 

Often he found the task almost too hard ; 
but was noble deed ever easy ? The hardest 
part of it all was to overcome the personal de- 
sire ; over and over again were resolves forgot- 
ten only to begin the struggle anew. 

A less earnest man might well have given 
up, only he was ever thinking of the end in 
view, and thought it worthy of any amount of 
labor. In proclaiming that there was hope for 
the drunkard, hope for his family, a future for 
all slaves of evil habits, he forgot his own grief 
within him. 

He now leads a higher and nobler life, and 

it was a little child's face that led a weak man 

and made him strong enough to overcome 

temptation. He is now happy in the thought 

, that his little boy looks down from heaven in 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 63 

approval, and he does not doubt that some 
day when he is called home, he will meet him, 
and they all will rejoice that his promises have 
been redeemed. As it is now, no man is more 
respected than he, and his wife, once so sor- 
rowful and care-laden, is one of the happiest of 
women. Thus " a little child shall lead them." 



THE SEX QUESTION 

It is rather difficult to write upon such a 
delicate subject; nevertheless I will endeavor 
to express a few sentiments regarding this all- 
important question. In the first instance, it is 
the parents' sacred duty to take their children 
aside when a suitable age has arrived, to in- 
struct and to point out certain truths pertain- 
ing to their nature, impressing also upon their 
minds certain facts, whereby untold misery, suf- 
fering and moral depravity might be avoided, 
for it is a well-known fact that young minds 
are curious ; then do not wait for others to lift 
the curtain for them, for it might be a rock 



64 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

on which many young lives have foundered. 
They must be trained to exert their will power, 
to govern their thoughts and to withdraw 
from such companions as would corrupt their 
morals. 

A mother should impress upon the mind of 
her daughter that the richest and most price- 
less treasure is her purity and honor. A father 
must insist that his son shall keep his manhood 
unsullied, for no true woman can love a man 
who is a slave to his passions and desires. Our 
finer, nobler men of the old school are dying 
off, while the rising generation die young, hav- 
ing killed themselves through excess of their 
natural forces. When men and women realize 
that certain parts of their body were created 
for a higher purpose than sensual lust, then 
our hospitals will be empty of syphilitics, and 
our madhouses to let for other purposes. A 
woman who yields herself to a man will be de- 
spised by him, for he cannot respect her when 
she does not respect herself. A woman who 
sells her body for love of pleasure or dress 
commits suicide, socially and morally, and a 
man who patronizes such a woman does not 
deserve the name of man, for he is man only 
in form, but beast in inclination. 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 65 

Govern yourselves, one and all ; do not shut 
your ears to the whisperings of your heart — 
that silent monitor called conscience — before 
you take the first false step. Of course, it is 
easier to live the life of desires, but battle 
bravely to overcome first temptations ; then, as 
you become ennobled, the lower elements in 
your nature will be replaced by higher ones, 
and victory will be won. 



ADVICE 

It is a pity that knowledge and experience 
gained by years are not more utilized for the 
benefit of those who are taking in those ad- 
vantages. How many false steps, disappoint- 
ments and errors could be avoided, how much 
sorrow escaped, if good advice were craved, se- 
cured and, what is best of all, followed. How 
liberally lawyers get paid for financial advice 
and physicians for physical woes, while equally 
as good advice on other matters can be had if 
only wanted. 



66 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

If husbands would be lovers to their wives 
the same as they had been to their sweethearts, 
and wives would always greet their husbands 
with smiles instead of frowns and sighs, home 
would be an Eden, and so pleasant that both 
would remain lovers to the end of their days. 



ADMIRATION 



To attract admiration, cultivate a pleasant 
but not anxious manner, talk little about your- 
self, but make a good listener, be as natural and 
unconscious as possible, be obliging and unsel- 
fish, neat in your dress and person, keep well 
informed about the general topics of the day, 
cultivate your mind, and don't neglect house- 
hold duties, learn domestic accomplishments as 
well as other branches, be not ashamed of your 
home or people, no matter how humble, always 
show them love and consideration, be kind to 
others, and in this way will you gain admir- 
ation, praise and love, and obtain happiness 
besides. 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 67 



WITCHCRAFT 

If any one doubts that witchcraft, or black 
magic, is extinct he is sadly mistaken, for it is 
practised not only here in Boston, but in every 
city of the Union. No matter how many may 
pooh-pooh the idea, it is nevertheless a fact, and 
those soothsayers do a flourishing business. 
Not only the lower and middle classes seek 
their aid, but even those who move in the 
upper circles of society call on them, secretly 
of course, to gain a desired end, whether said 
ends are those of love, revenge, hatred or even 
worse. Naturally practices of this kind kill 
the soul and utterly ruin and destroy the prac- 
tiser or evil doer in the end. How often in 
our daily life do we hear such remarks as, 
" Such and such a person must be under a 
spell, or have a spell thrown over him, as he is 
dominated by so and so." Nothing more 
truthful if the truth were only known. This 
applies also to charms, good-luck stones, boxes 
and amulets, and although most of those who 
deal in such articles are conscienceless swin- 
dlers, nevertheless it is possible to prepare and 
charge certain material with nervaura, or mag- 



68 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

netic force, so they will work wonders even at 
a distance, and if practised for good purposes 
what benefit cannot be derived from such 
power ? This power is practically unlimited. 



* THE ART OF MAGNETIC AND DIVINE 

HEALING 

HOW TO CURE YOURSELF AND OTHERS OF DISEASES 

Every person who has a will possesses the 
power within himself, if he will but rely upon 
it, to relieve his fellow men of their pains, to 
drive out disease and to quiet the nerves, pro- 
mote health and vigor, if he will believe that 
he can do so and try it. The only way one 
can ever prove to his satisfaction that he can 
do a thing — say, heal the sick by the laying 
on of hands or suggestion — is to try it and 
see the result. 

The practice of mental and magnetic heal- 
ing, which is exciting so much interest at the 
present time, is nothing new. It is only one 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 69 

of the principles of true Christianity, a belief 
in Christ's faith under a new name. It ought 
rightfully to be called faith cure, because it is 
faith in the divine power wrought through the 
healer. The so-called miracles performed by 
Catholics through dead saints are nothing 
but faith and belief in the power wrought 
through them when living, and, as spirit never 
dies, that power will always live. 

The pilgrims going to Lourdes have faith 
and believe that they can be cured at that 
place ; however, it is not the stone image that 
works the cure ; it is nothing but the pilgrim's 
belief, and those whose faith falters remain un- 
cured. 

To all persons who have nervous derange- 
ments relief may be given by stroking vigor- 
ously down the spinal column, exercising an 
intention to quicken and equalize the circula- 
tion. By throwing the hands down from the 
body, making them very rigid, making a fist, 
opening them quickly and rubbing together 
briskly, you will find that you can raise the 
temperature of your hands to a very high de- 
gree. Place this hot hand quickly over the 
seat of the pain, and by willing to give relief 
you will succeed in relieving the pain in a very 



yo UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

short time. Remember always that the right 
hand will draw from, the left give relief to, an 
afflicted spot. 

It is just as easy to cure one's self as others, 
for surely autosuggestion has equal power. If 
you will read the history of the case of the 
woman who touched the hem of Christ's gar- 
ment, you will find that she said within her- 
self, " If I but touch the hem of his garment I 
shall be cured." After it was done, Christ 
told her it was her belief that had healed her. 
But what is faith ? It is belief put to the test. 
She believed and was healed. When you de- 
termine within yourself to do a thing it will 
almost always be accomplished, for to him who 
believes all things are possible. So I advise 
you to put it to the test and try it, for who can 
do more good than he who can truly cure the 
diseases of our suffering fellow beings ? 

After giving a treatment it should not be 
forgotten to throw off the effects by making 
passes from the head downward, over arms, 
etc., and washing the hands in clear cold water. 

Many of our best doctors have given their 
patients only bread pills, and they were cured. 
By what ? Faith and the belief in the abilities 
of their physician. 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET J I 



*HOW TO BECOME A PSYCHOMETRIST 

Since the reading of articles has become such 
a fad in Spiritualistic circles, people at large 
have taken up the fad as a study. It has, how- 
ever, in my opinion, nothing whatever to do 
with Spiritualism, as the power of giving read- 
ings through or with articles lies latent or dor- 
mant within every one ; all that is required is 
concentration of mind. It is nothing more than 
to unfold the sense of feeling. To develop this 
desirable phase is to make yourself passive, 
take some article in your hand and hold it 
until something is impressed upon your mind. 
Speak of it, and when it is followed by other 
thoughts, give them out also. Continue the 
same way until you get to such a state that you 
can depend upon your impressions. Take such 
articles as rings, gloves turned inside out, let- 
ters, or anything that is worn by one person 
only and not handled by others. You will be- 
come quite an expert if you follow instructions, 
and will give readings that will surprise even 
yourself. Practise at first with articles from 
friends until you are sure of yourself. 



72 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 



* THE NEW METHOD OF FRENCH DRAW- 
ING AND PAINTING 

How to Paint in Oil, Flowers, Fruit, Land- 
scapes, Etc. 

Material required : Canvas, black impression 
paper, a study, and paint and brushes. Take 
the impression paper, lay face down on the can- 
vas ; take your study, lay face outward, fasten 
the three together so the paper or study cannot 
slip. Then take a dull-pointed stick and go 
carefully over all the outlines of flowers or 
whatever you wish to paint. Press heavier 
where there are shadows. When done lift 
study and paper from canvas, and you will have 
a perfect drawing of your study on the canvas. 
Now mix your paints and follow the coloring 
of the study exactly over your drawing, and 
you will have an exact reproduction of the study 
in oil, done by yourself. 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 73 



*THE ART OF MAKING CRAYON POR- 
TRAITS 

Get a solar enlargement from any picture 
you choose. Take crayon sauce, make fine, 
mix with it a little powdered pumice stone, then 
take a piece of medicated cotton, dip in the 
mixture and rub all around the edges of the 
face, being careful not to go beyond the out- 
line. Do the same over the drapery. Now 
take a chamois stump, dip in crayon sauce 
alone, go over the hair, leaving the lights light 
and the shadows dark, the same as in small 
picture. Take a crayon pencil, go all over the 
lines of the face, the same as you would in 
drawing, rub down with a clean piece of cotton, 
pick out the high lights with a pointed rubber, 
fill out all defective places with pencil, and 
your portrait is done. When finished properly, 
no one can tell whether it is done over a print 
or not. As the print in the first place will be 
a correct likeness of the small picture, all you 
have to do is to crayon it over. The materials 
required you can obtain at any art store.* 



74 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 



* HOW TO TRANSFER ON GLASS, PHOTO- 
GRAPHS, ENGRAVINGS, LITHOGRAPHS; 
ANY PICTURE, IN FACT 

Take glass perfectly clean, varnish it, taking 
care to have it perfectly smooth (let no dust 
get on it while drying) ; then take your picture, 
lay it in water until wet through, then lay it on 
paper so that the moisture may dry from the 
surface, still keeping the other side damp. 
Varnish your glass a second time, then place 
your picture upon it, pressing it down firmly, 
so as to exclude all air. Next rub paper from 
the back, until it is of uniform thickness — so 
thin that you can see through it. Then var- 
nish it again and let it dry. If the picture is 
to be colored, apply the paint before varnishing 
it for the last time. Materials used : Two 
ounces balsam of fir to one ounce of spirits of 
turpentine. Apply with soft brush. 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 75 



*BUST DEVELOPER 

Every night before retiring bathe the bust 
in hot water and dry with a soft towel. Put a 
little sweet oil in the palm of your hand, rub 
the left side with the right hand, then treat the 
other side in the same way with the left hand 
until all the oil is rubbed in. Next morning 
give it another hot bath and immediately after 
a cold douche. Always give your hands an 
upper movement. Bust development has be- 
come quite a business, and any energetic lady 
can make money by giving treatments. Thin 
and scraggy necks are treated in the same 
way. 



put ffl 
A CHAPTER OF RECIPES 



How to Make Wax Flowers. — The petals, 
leaves, etc., are made of sheet wax. The stems 
are made of wire of suitable thickness, covered 
or overlaid with wax. The leaves can be made 
by pressing the sheet wax on the natural leaf 
of any flower, plant or spray desired, or em- 
bossed muslin leaves may be used, or, better 
still, a mould can be made by heating common 
wax, and as it cools pressing a natural leaf 
upon it. This mould can afterward be used a 
hundred times by pressing the sheet wax over 
it. The blossoms, buds, etc., of flowers may be 
used in like manner for making moulds. In 
waxing natural flowers each petal must be 
waxed separately. 

The best guide to the making of a flower is 
to take any flower you choose, say a pink, pick 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 77 

it to pieces, laying the petals down in the order 
you pick them, cut paper their exact size and 
shape, then number them so that they will for- 
ever after serve as guides in clipping the wax 
to make the same flower at all times. Having 
clipped your wax into the different sized leaves, 
gather them up one by one, beginning from the 
centre of the flower. Press the leaves together, 
as the wax will stick of itself. When the 
flower is formed, pierce it with the wire. Use 
any waste cuttings for forming the seed in the 
centre of the flower. Always dip scissors into 
cold water and cut each leaf singly. You can 
give them a natural tint by using a little dry 
paint here and there. Paper flowers are made 
in the same way, only use gum for sticking to- 
gether. Materials can be bought all prepared. 

How to Make Wax Fruit. — The art of 
this kind of work lies in the making of the 
moulds. To make them, take plaster of paris, 
stirring it into vinegar until it is of the thick- 
ness of a batter. Now place the object to be 
cast, say a grape, in a dish of sand, forcing half 
its size into the sand ; over this pour the plas- 
ter mixture. Let it stand until it sets, when 
you will have half a mould ; proceed in like 



78 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

manner; then you will have the other half. 
Trim the edges clear of sand and the two 
halves will fit each other. Thus moulds of all 
kinds of fruit or vegetables or other things can 
be made. When you are ready to use them, 
soak them for a few minutes in water, then let 
partially dry. In the meantime you will have 
melted the wax. Half fill one of the halves of 
your mould with it, place the other half over it, 
grasp the two together, swing it around so that 
the wax will spread itself over all the inside, 
and in a few minutes it will be cool ; separate 
the moulds and you will have the object you 
wish. If there is any edge, pare off and 
smooth it by rubbing a little oil over it. 

Colors are mixed with the wax while melting. 
You can obtain natural colors by mixing sev- 
eral together the same as in mixing colors for 
oil paintings. If you desire still more natural 
tints, you can shade them with other colors 
(when done) here and there, according to lights 
and shades and reflected light. Use dry col- 
ors, obtainable at any paint store. When you 
make baskets or bunches of fruit they must be 
set off with twigs and leaves. White baskets 
can be colored by dissolving red sealing wax in 
alcohol, giving them a reddish shade. 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 79 

To Make Leather Waterproof. — Boiled 
oil one quart, india rubber one ounce dissolved 
by heat Mix, then rub thoroughly into the 
leather. 

Fine Perfume for Handkerchiefs. — Half 
a pint rectified spirits of wine, a quarter of an 
ounce of oil of lavender, ten drops of oil of 
cinnamon, well mixed together. Bottle and 
cork tight. 

Eversticking Cement. — Pound dry oyster 
shells, sift them through a cheese cloth, grind 
as fine as powder, then take the whites of a 
couple of eggs; having mixed them with the 
powder, form the whole into a paste. With 
this paste join the broken pieces of china, 
glass, etc., together and hold them thus for a 
few minutes. This cement will stand both 
heat and water, will never give way, but stick 
forever. 

Liquid Glue. — Get one pound of best 
glue, add half a pint of water, boil in double 
gluepot, then strain it. Add half a pound of 
brown sugar. Boil all together till pretty thick, 
when it will be readv for use. 



80 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

Green Ink. — Aniline green one drachm, 
dextrine a quarter of an ounce, hot water one 
pint Mix. 

Indelible Ink. — For marking clothing, etc. 
Five scruples of nitrate of silver, two drachms 
gum arabic, one scruple of sap green, one 
ounce of water; mix together. Write with 
ordinary pen. 

How to Remove Ink Spots from White 
Shirts, Etc. — Wet the spot, rub ordinary 
table salt on it, squeeze lemon juice over it 
and lay in the sun to bleach. Repeat this if 
necessary until every particle of the ink has 
disappeared. 

How to Remove Stains from Silk, Linen, 
Etc. — Mix a wineglassful of rectified spirits 
of turpentine with half a teaspoonful of essen- 
tial oil of lemon, preserve the mixture in a 
well stoppered bottle. Apply a little on the 
stain with a bit of silk. 

A Cure for Hoarseness. — White of an 
egg beaten with sugar and lemon relieves 
hoarseness. Dose: A teaspoonful every hour. 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 8 1 

Natural Bloom of Youth. — Cook a num- 
ber of young beets until they are tender, let 
cool, press out the juice, strain the liquid, add 
a few drops of ammonia, bottle, and it is ready 
for use. Rub a little on the cheeks and it will 
be found that it resembles a natural complex- 
ion to perfection. This preparation will in no 
wise injure the skin and is better than any on 
the market. 

How to Give a Healthy Look to a Pale 
and Sallow Countenance. — Take some com- 
mon rusty nails, a tablespoonful of extract of 
aloes hepatia, put all in a large bottle, pour 
two quarts of cider over it, cork, let it stand a 
couple of days, shaking it up once in a while, 
then strain off the liquid. Take one table- 
spoonful at rising and retiring. 

A Solution that will Remove Tan, Sun- 
burn, and Cure Chapped Hands. — Two parts 
of lemon juice, one part of Jamaica rum. 
Strain, bottle, and apply a couple of times a 
day. 

Cure for Inflammatory Rheumatism. — 
One pint of sweet oil, one ounce of pulverized 
saltpetre. Thoroughly rub the parts affected. 



82 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

A Formula for Freckles. — Equal parts of 
lactic acid and glycerine. 

Another One. — Two drachms of sal am- 
moniac, one ounce German Cologne mixed 
with a pint of water. This and the foregoing 
receipt are recommended. 

A Remedy for Muscular Rheumatism. — 
Take a quarter of a pound of red pepper, one 
quart of alcohol, let stand for a few days, shak- 
ing it once a day, strain, and it will be ready 
for use. Rub well into the afflicted spot. 

How to Remove Warts. — Apply castor 
oil once a day from two to six weeks. 

Another Remedy. — Dissolve one ounce 
ordinary washing soda in a pint of water and 
apply over the warts and around them three 
times daily. 

How to Promote the Growth of the 
Hair. — Take two ounces of castor oil, four 
ounces of good Jamaica rum, fifteen drops of 
oil of lavender ; mix. Rub well into the scalp 
occasionally, having shaken the bottle pre- 
viously. 



universal treasure casket 83 

For Singers to Make the Voice Clear and 
Strong. — Two drachms of beeswax, three 
drachms of balsam of copaiba, four drachms of 
powdered licorice root. Melt the balsam and 
wax in an earthen vessel, then mix in the 
powder. Make three-grain pills, one to be 
taken in the morning and one at night. 

Cough Drops. — Famous for colds, cough, 
hoarseness, sore throats, etc. Small package of 
hoarhound, half package of elecampane root, 
six lemons, four quarts of water. Put in 
earthen vessel and let simmer (not boil) for 
four hours ; then strain. Add two large sticks 
of licorice, two pounds of brown sugar or pint 
of molasses, let simmer down to two quarts, 
pour in tablet dishes or drop in greased pans. 
This receipt is better than any other, and a 
fortune can be made by an enterprising person, 
as cough drops always find a ready sale. This 
is also good for whooping cough. 

Cordial for Men and Women for Nervous 
Debility, for Exhaustion from Care and 
Overwork. Worth many Dollars. — Take 
one pound of raisins, one pound of dates, one 
pound of figs, one pound of prunes, one pound 



84 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

of currants, add two gallons of water, put in 
vessel, let simmer (not boil) for a couple of 
hours, then press through a sieve, so you will 
get all the good out of the fruit; then add a 
gallon of port wine to the liquid, a little 
Jamaica ginger; strain and bottle, Dose: A 
half wineglass at rising and retiring. Nat- 
ure's own remedy. Pint bottles of this sell at 
a dollar. 

Nerve Tonic. — For a natural nerve tonic, 
for nervousness, palsy, palpitation of the heart, 
etc., there is nothing better than to eat a large 
quantity of celery, either the stalks dipped into 
salt, or chopped fine and made into a salad. If 
desired to take in liquid form, take a quantity 
of the stalks with leaves, put into a vessel, let 
simmer for a couple of hours, adding a handful 
of hops, then strain, put again on the fire, add 
either brown sugar or syrup enough to make it 
taste pleasant, let cool, then bottle. A pint of 
the best brandy added will improve it greatly, 
but is not necessary. This formula is even 
better than most of the celery compounds. 

How to Make Blackberry Brandy. — 
Blackberry brandy is easily made and finds a 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 85 

ready sale, as it is the best cure for summer 
complaint. To one quart of berry juice add 
one pound of white sugar, one teaspoonful of 
powdered allspice and a teaspoonful of ground 
cloves. Boil a few minutes, remove from the 
stove, add half a pint of first-class brandy. 
Bottle ; cork tight, and it is ready for use. 

Oatmeal Drink ; a Cool and Good Drink 
for the Summer. — Into an earthen saucepan 
put two ounces of oatmeal, two ounces of sugar, 
a thinly sliced lemon. Mix with enough cold 
water to dissolve, then add half a gallon of 
boiling water, add the juice of an orange. The 
healthiest drink that can be made. 

Onions as a Medicine. — Onions are sweet- 
eners of the breath after the local effect has 
passed away, as they correct stomach disorders. 
They also are a blood purifier that all can 
freely use. A raw onion eaten before retiring 
will cure sleeplessness, as it acts on the nerves 
in a soothing way. The syrup procured from 
sprinkling a sliced onion with sugar and bak- 
ing it in the oven will cure a croupy child, so 
do not hesitate to use them freely through a 
mistaken idea about spoiling the breath. 



86 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

How to Get Rid of Black or Red Ants. — 
Take oil of sassafras, apply with a brush all 
around the edges of the openings of cake or 
bread boxes, refrigerators, sugar boxes, shelves, 
etc. Repeat once a week. 

How to Get Rid of Bedbugs. — To get rid 
of those pests is very easy. After many experi- 
ments this excellent remedy was found. Get 
two pounds of crystallized alum, dissolve in a 
little hot water ; after being dissolved, add three 
quarts of boiling water, then apply hot with a 
brush or syringe to every crevice of the bed, 
slats, spring and anywhere where the bugs may 
be. If properly and thoroughly done, you will 
never be troubled again. If rooms are papered 
the hot solution should be applied all around 
the edges of mopboard, etc. 

The Greatest Moth Preventive Ever 
Known. — Take half a cupful of oil of cedar, 
fill up with ammonia, let this stand in the room 
or closet for three or four days, keeping the 
doors tightly closed. This will kill all the 
moths as well as the germs of moths. If a 
woollen cloth be saturated with this solution 
and placed in a trunk or chest, it will prevent 
moths from getting into the clothing. 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 87 

How to Cure Perspiring Feet, Hands, 
Etc. — Persons subject to perspiring body, 
hands, feet, armpits, etc., need never feel sensi- 
tive about the odor arising therefrom if they 
will use a couple of tablespoonfuls of spirits of 
ammonia in the water they bathe and wash in. 
If faithfully followed, this will cure the worst 
cases of perspiring feet. It will prove very re- 
freshing and make the flesh sweet smelling. 

For the Cure of Drunkenness. — Take five 
grains of sulphate of iron, eleven drachms of 
peppermint water and one drachm of spirits of 
nutmeg ; mix. Take in quantities equal to an 
ordinary drink and as often as a desire for 
stimulants returns. This preparation supplies 
the place of liquor and prevents the prostration 
that follows the sudden giving up of alcohol. 

For Lean People. — Lean persons who de- 
sire to accumulate a plump covering on their 
bones are advised to avoid worry, to cultivate 
calmness, to sleep not less than ten hours a day, 
to take very little exercise, to eat fattening 
foods, such as soups, butter, cream, fat and 
juicy meats, olive oil, and all farinaceous dishes 
and to take warm baths at night. 



88 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

For Stout People. — To reduce your flesh, 
take a great deal of exercise, bathe in cold 
water, eat no sweets, no potatoes and very little 
bread. Use lemon juice, eat lots of pickles or 
anything sour, drink no milk, cocoa or beer. 
Fencing and dumbbell practice is beneficial. 

To Make Tomato Catchup after One of 
the Very Best Recipes. — To half a bushel 
skinned tomatoes take a quart of the best vine- 
gar, one pound of salt, quarter of a pound of 
black pepper, one ounce cayenne, one ounce 
allspice, three boxes of mustard, twenty garlics, 
six good-sized onions, two pounds of sugar. 
Boil together for three hours, stirring so it will 
not burn. When this is cold, press through a 
coarse cloth and bottle. This receipt is ap- 
proved of by one of our ablest physicians. 

How to Make Waffles for Home Use or 
Sale. — Mix two quarts of flour with warm 
sweet milk to make a thick batter. To two 
quarts of flour put two large tablespoonfuls of 
melted butter, a teaspoonful of salt, two tea- 
spoonfuls of yeast powder, three beaten eggs, 
then bake in waffle irons. Use frosting or not 
as you choose. 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 89 

Ye Old- Fashioned Crullers. — Two table- 
spoonfuls of butter, a pint of milk, one quart of 
flour, one cup of sugar, a teaspoonful of salt, 
three eggs, half a nutmeg and two teaspoonfuls 
of yeast powder. Fry in hot lard. 

Crumpets. — Take three cups of raised 
dough and work into it with your hand half a 
cup of softened butter, three eggs and milk 
enough to render it a thick batter, turn it into 
buttered pans, let remain fifteen minutes before 
baking. 

Suet Pudding. — One pint of flour, half a 
cup of sugar, a cup of suet chopped fine, a cup 
of fruit, two teaspoonfuls of yeast powder. 
Boil or steam in a bag. 

Potato Pudding. — Take half a pound of 
mashed potatoes, two eggs, two tablespoonfuls 
of butter, a half pint of fresh milk, the juice of 
one lemon and a little salt. Sugar to taste if 
desired, but not necessary. Mix all together, 
then bake in a pudding dish. 

String Bean Salad. — String and cut one 
quart of beans, boil in salt water until tender, 
then strain off the water. Take half a cup of 



90 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

wine vinegar, add tablespoonful sweet oil, two 
teaspoonfuls of sugar, a little pepper, fill the 
cup up with water and pour over the beans 
while yet hot. Let stand a couple of hours, 
then serve cold. Stir up before serving. 

Potato Salad. — This salad is made the 
same as the above. Boil the potatoes until 
soft, peel and slice, pour the mixture over it 
while the potatoes are yet hot. Let stand, 
then serve cold. 

Fruit Salad. — Take a few apples, oranges, 
peaches, pineapple, etc., and a glassful of sherry. 
Peel the apples, take out the cores, slice, ar- 
range in a fruit dish in layers of apples, then 
oranges, then pineapple, etc., pour the sherry 
over it, add powdered sugar to taste, then serve 
cold. 

French Gingerbread. — Four ounces of 
butter, eight ounces of sugar, cup of syrup, 
two eggs beaten together, add eight ounces of 
flour, two ounces of pounded almonds, two 
ounces of chopped citron, a teaspoonful of 
ground ginger, a teaspoonful of ground cinna- 
mon, half a teaspoonful of baking powder. 
Mix. Bake in a moderate oven. 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 9 1 

Fruit Tapioca. — Soak a cupful of tapioca 
over night, turn in double boiler, add four cup- 
fuls of water, cook until clear, remove from fire, 
stir into it a pint of fresh fruit, any kind of 
berries, stoned cherries or plums and serve 
when cold. 

Fish Cutlets. — Take some cooked fish, re- 
move skin and bones and mince fine. Put the 
fish in a saucepan, moisten with melted butter 
to make a soft paste. Stir until it is thor- 
oughly heated, add salt and pepper and stir in 
a beaten egg. You can add a teaspoonful of 
chopped parsley if desired. Then turn into a 
dish to cool. Take a sufficient quantity at a 
time to mould into the shape of a cutlet, then 
drop in beaten eggs, then in bread crumbs. 
Fry in hot lard. 

Bavarian Cabbage. — Boil cabbage in water 
with a spoonful of salt added. Stew until soft. 
Drain, put in chopping bowl, chop fine. Put 
in saucepan, add pinch of pepper, two table- 
spoonfuls of butter, then stir in milk enough 
to cover cabbage. Let come to a boil, then 
add a tablespoonful of flour to thicken. Serve 
hot. 



92 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

Elderberry Wine. — To every gallon of 
water allow three pints of elderberries ; to 
every gallon of juice allow three pounds of 
sugar, half ounce of ground ginger, six cloves 
and one pound of raisins. Allow half a pint 
of brandy to every gallon of wine. To every 
three gallons of wine allow one yeast cake. 
Pour the water, boiling, on the elderberries, 
and let stand covered for a day and night, then 
strain the whole through a cloth, breaking the 
berries to press out all the juice, Measure the 
liquor and to every gallon allow the above pro- 
portion of sugar. Boil the juice, sugar, ginger, 
cloves and raisins for one hour, skimming the 
whole time, then let stand until lukewarm, 
then put it into a clean cask with the above 
amount of yeast. Let it ferment for two 
weeks, then add the brandy, bung up, and let 
it stand from six weeks to two months, then 
bottle it. It will be found excellent. 

Grape Wine. — Put ten pounds of grapes 
into a stone jar, pour over them three quarts of 
boiling water. When cool enough squeeze 
the grapes well with the hand, cover the jar 
with a cloth, let it stand for two days, then 
press out the juice and add five pounds of 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 9 



sugar. After it has stood a week, skim, strain, 
bottle it, corking loosely. When fermented, 
strain it again and bottle, corking tightly this 
time. Lay bottles on the side. 

Home Made Preserves. — Women living 
in country towns should preserve fresh fruit 
and berries, as home made preserves are supe- 
rior and more sought after than factory made 
and alw r ays find a ready sale. 

Headache. — Persons subject to headache 
should sleep on pillows filled with pine needles 
and hops. 

A Remedy for Indigestion. — Six ounces 
of infusion of calumba, one drachm carbonate 
of potassa, three drachms tincture of gentian. 
Mix all together. Dose, two tablespoonfuls at 
noon. 

A Pretty Sofa Cushion. — A sofa cushion 
filled with clover blossoms dried in the sun is 
an inexpensive and pretty article for any home. 
The outside cover can be embroidered with 
clover blossoms in each corner and the words 
44 clover blossoms " across the centre. It is 
quite a novelty. 



94 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 

Frozen Pudding. — Take one pint of cream, 
the yolks of four eggs, beat together, make a 
syrup of one pound of sugar, one pint of water, 
put on fire, when very hot add forty blanched 
almonds, pounded fine, one ounce of chopped 
citron, two each of raisins and currants, one 
ounce each of candied orange and lemon peel, 
the juice of one lemon, pour in freezer and 
freeze. Set aside one hour to harden. 

Banana Sherbet. — Boil together for five 
minutes one pint of sugar, one quart of water. 
Let it get cold, then add the juice of one 
lemon, two oranges and one dozen fine ripe 
bananas, peeled and mashed fine. Freeze 
until it begins to thicken, then add the beaten 
whites of three eggs and freeze like ice cream. 
Serve in glasses. 

Peach Cobbler. — Line a baking pan with 
a rich crust, pare and quarter some firm, juicy 
peaches, and stand them on end in the paste- 
lined pan, crowding them closely together, and 
making a second layer if the pan is deep 
enough. To the parings add water, and boil 
for ten minutes, strain, add sugar, and boil 
again to a thick syrup. Pour this over the 



UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 95 

fruit, dot with butter, and bake. Serve with 
cream. 

Pineapple Ice Cream. — One pint each of 
cream and milk, the yolks of two eggs, one 
pound of sugar, the juice of one lemon and 
one large pineapple. Dissolve two cupfuls of 
cream and one-half pound of sugar in a double 
boiler; cool. Add the beaten yolks. Prepare 
the pineapple, removing eyes and core, grate 
the apple and dissolve in a half pound of the 
sugar. Freeze the cream and milk, stir into it 
the pineapple and lemon juice and freeze 
again. 

A Summer Drink. — An excellent summer 
drink to cool the blood is made by adding half 
a teaspoonful of cream of tartar to a glass of 
lemonade. The cream of tartar should be 
stirred into the glass and then allowed to 
settle. 



96 UNIVERSAL TREASURE CASKET 



JOIN THE CIRCLE OF PROGRESSION, 
HARMONY AND PEACE 

in which hundreds are uniting in thoughts for 
fifteen minutes at nine o'clock every evening. 
Its object is to secure 

HEALTH AND HAPPINESS 

and to become receptive to the vibrations sent 
out by the Circle. Every person should be 
interested in the living of a higher life and in- 
dwelling of uplifted thought. You can be en- 
rolled on our membership list at once. You 
will receive a letter of instructions and, accord- 
ing to your need, letters of advice on personal 
affairs. To meet expenses connected with our 
work we ask $1.00 dues when joining. That 
is all the expense attached. Stamps must be 
enclosed with all letters of inquiry. 

Mrs. L. A. Greyer, 

1 Decatur St., Boston, Mass. 



SEP 11 1900 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

022 175 794 4 



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